Remote/occupant controlled toy vehicle

• US 7,344,430 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2005
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan G. Sanders, Christopher M. Hasty
• Original Assignee: Alan G. Sanders, Christopher M. Hasty
• Inventors: Sanders, Alan G., Hasty, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Eugene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hylinski; Alyssa M
• Application Number:
  US11/127,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20060254839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 446/431, 446/440, 446454-457, 280/93.502, 180/167, 180/430, 180/65.1, 180/908, 180/169
• US Class Current: 446/456
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/395 steered by program
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/16 operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle

Abstract

An operation control system for an electrically powered and remotely controlled vehicle to be occupied by a child with a steering mechanism to be engaged and disengaged for either local or remote control. A remote control device for selectively controlling the direction and speed of the vehicle. A remote control receiver in the vehicle for receiving control signals from the remote control device and generating steering mechanism and speed control signals. A drive motor for driving the wheels of the vehicle and responsive to the speed control signals; and a steering motor for controlling the direction of movement of the vehicle and responsive to the steering mechanism control signals.

Claims

1. An operation control system for an electrically powered vehicle for both remote and non-remote operation and occupied by a child, comprising:

a.) a steering mechanism to be engaged and disengaged for either local or remote control;

b.) a remote control device for selectively controlling the direction and speed of the vehicle;

c.) a remote control receiver in said vehicle for receiving control signals from said remote control device and generating steering mechanism and speed control signals;

d.) a remote control battery for energizing said remote control receiver;

e.) a drive motor for driving the wheels of said vehicle and responsive to said speed control signals;

f.) a speed control switch for controlling the speed of the vehicle;

g.) a gas pedal for controlling the speed of said vehicle independent of said speed control switch;

h.) a steering motor for controlling the direction of movement of said vehicle and responsive to said steering mechanism control signals;

i.) further comprising switching means for providing either (1) independent control of said vehicle, whereby the child controls the vehicle operation in- dependent of remote control of said vehicle, and (2) remote control of the vehicle, whereby control of the vehicle operation is completely independent of the child occupant; and

j.) said switching means comprising first and second two-way switches each having respective ganged first and second terminals and a common terminal, the common terminal of said first two-way switch is connected to said drive motor and said first and second terminals of said first two-way switch are respectively connected to said gas pedal and said speed control switch;

the common terminal of said second two-way switch is connected to said drive battery and the first and second terminals of said second two-way switch are respectively connected to a forward reverse switch and said speed control;

the independent control switch of said vehicle is obtained with the movable contact of said first and second switches respectively contacting said gas pedal and said forward reverse switch and the remote control of said vehicle is obtained with the movable contact of said first and second switches respectively contacting said speed control switch.

2. An operational control system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an electrical battery for providing power for driving said vehicle and a battery for operating said remote control device.

3. An operational control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steering mechanism further comprising means for decoupling or coupling the steering shaft with the steering mechanism and the steering wheel to prevent control of the steering mechanism by the steering wheel.